A brief look at some of the stand-out moments from the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024.
Video / Sky Sport
Lady Gaga kicked off the Paris Olympics 2024 along the Seine with a spectacular classic cabaret number in homage to the host country.
Adorned in a cool black Dior feather jacket, a corset and bold red lipstick, the American singer-songwriter emerged through pink feathers held by dancers to hide her identity, keeping the audience in suspense until the right moment. She proudly raised her head high on the mustard-coloured stairs as she welcomed spectators: “Bonsoir, bienvenue à Paris!”
Performing the iconic 60s song Mon Truc en Plumes (My Thing with Feathers) by French ballet dancer and singer Zizi Jeanmaire, Lady Gaga – real name Stefani Germanotta – paid tribute to cabaret.
Taking to social media, the star wrote that she was “humbled” to have been asked to open for the games.
“Although I am not a French artist, I have always felt a very special connection with French people and singing French music – I wanted nothing more than to create a performance that would warm the heart of France, celebrate French art and music, and on such a momentous occasion remind everyone of one of the most magical cities on earth – Paris,” the post read on Instagram.
After a four-year hiatus due to illness, Celine Dion made a triumphant comeback with a live performance on the balcony of the Eiffel Tower. It was raw and it was powerful.
Performing a breathtaking rendition of Edith Piaf’sL’Hymne à l’amour (Hymn to Love) in front of more than 300,000 spectators as the Olympic Flame burned, the Canadian singer brought the opening ceremony to a close.
Wrapped in striking Dior haute couture, a turtle-neck white, shimmering gown, Dion belted fearlessly - reminding everyone why she’s known as the Queen of Power Ballads.
The emotionalperformance moved many, including commentator and singer Kelly Clarkson who was left speechless. “I actually can’t talk,” she said on air.
Social media users similarly expressed feeling touched by the performance. “This performance will go down [in] history as one of the best [alongside] the one Whitney [Houston] did ... brought us all to tears gave me goosebumps,” commented one user on TikTok.
“There are ways to make a comeback, and then there is this. Absolutely stunning,” wrote another on YouTube.
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Other famous faces at the Olympics
Sports legends, pop stars, royals and politicians were among the crowd at the star-laden ceremony.
Ariana Grande arrived in a Thom Browne drop-waisted box pleat baby pink dress with Cynthia Erivo, who wore a bold emerald green dress by Louis Vuitton.
… ariana … ariana grande wears a custom thom browne drop waisted box pleat dress in pink silk duchess satin with bow detail and matching hair tie, gloves in white silk and low pumps in pink and white pebble grain leather to attend the opening ceremony of the paris 2024 olympic… pic.twitter.com/aU9TUn98C9